Self-cleaning lint trap



une 20, 1950 w. G. SULLIVAN 2,512,394

SELF-CLEANING LINT TRAP Filed May 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 vs B 19 1 2 'f7 78 47 l f4 64 d o 67 o 65 38o c?) QG. 6l LLI l l 177 6 L4 21 155 @i l l 24 I l I 22 '-rr-A Inf u l IN VEN TOR.

June 20, 1950 w. G. SULLIVAN 2,512,394

SELF-CLEANING LINT TRAP Filed may 12, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 2 INVENTOR. 97

2li-@whaha Patented `lune 20, 1950 SELF-CLEANING LINT TRAP William G. Sullivan,

Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 12, 1945, Serial No. 593,366

8 Claims. l

This invention relates to lint traps for washing machines or the like, and more particularly to a lint trap adapted to be automatically cleaned or back washed.

In certain type washing machines, and particularly automatically controlled washing machines, it is desirable to recirculate liquid passing from the clothes container during the washing operation.Lint discharged from the container with liquid during washing will be returned to the container by the recirculating liquid, unless a lint trap is inserted in the recirculating system and it has been common practice to provide a, lint trap on automatically controlled Washing machines. Prior lint traps of this type with which I am familiar, have not been adapted to be automatically cleaned but are removable for periodic manual cleaning. However, a lint trap in many instances remains uncleaned for relatively long periods and the partial clogging oi the trap results in less recirculating iiow, and lowered washing efficiency. Additionally, after continued use of the washing machine resulting in periodic accumulation and drying of the lint in the trap, the lint becomes matted and is diiiicult to remove manually.

I have devised a lint trap particularly adapted to automatically controlled washing machines, which is automatically cleaned each time the machine is used, whereby the lint is flushed from the trap and directed to the drain with the lint being removed while it is still wet and relatively easy to flush from the trap.

According to the invention, the lint trap is inserted in the recirculating system between the drain for the tub or casing and the pump with the trap comprising a generally semi-cylindrical screen unit rotatable in a fixed cylinder. During recirculation the liquid is directed from the casing through the screen unit which removes a major portion of thelint, the liquid then passes to the cylinder, through the pump, and is rereturned to the clothes container. Automatically controlled washing way valve at the discharge side of the pump whereby during the washing and extracting cycle liquid may be automatically and selectively directed to the drain or returned to the clothes container with iinal communication to the drain. When final draining is eiected, the screen unit is automatically rotated to present the normal discharge or bottom surface thereof to liquid passing from the casing concurrently with opening of communication to the drain, whereby the iiow'of liquid reversely through the screen unit machines usually have a twol flushes the' lint therefrom and directs it to the drain.

The trap may be cleaned each time the liquid is drained during the washingand extracting cycle, although I prefer that it be cleaned only at nal draining. Provision is made for assisting lint removal by subjecting the screen unit to a, brushing action during rotation thereof. The unit may be removed manually if desired.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a lint trap in the recirculating system of washing machines or the like which is adapted to be automatically cleaned each time the machine is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-cleaning lint trap which is particularly adaptable to automatically controlled washing machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-cleaning lint trap of the above type having a screen unit which may be removed for supplemental manual cleaning.

Another object of the a self-cleaning lint trap of the above type which is of relatively simple construction, easy to install, and which requires a minimum of attention.

Other objects of the invention and the invention itself will become increasingly apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a lint trap embodying the invention taken along the line I-I of Fig. 6,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a screen unit I may employ,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along a, line corresponding to line 4-4 oi' Fig. 1, showing a modiiied type of lint trap having brush means associated therewith,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along line L5 of Fig. 4,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a lint trap embodying the invention associated with a conventional washing machine,

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a modified arrangement for rotating the screen unit,

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion oi' and further cleaned invention is to provide plan view of the mechanism ofv larly to Fig. 6, I have indicated at I the tub or casing of a conventional washing machine which is supported by legs II. A clothes container or basket (not shown) disposed within the tub is adapted to have clothes placed therein agitated during washing while initially supplied liquid is being recirculated. Extracting of liquid from the clothes may be eiected by providing perforatlons in the basket and rotating the basket at relatively high speed, whereby the liquid will be forced through the perforations by centrifugal action to collect in the tub and be directed to the drain. However, the particular manner of washlng the clothes and extracting liquid therefrom constitutes no essential part of my invention and any suitable means may be used. During the washing, rinsing, and extracting periods, the liquid is periodically supplied, recirculated and drained, and the supply valves, drain valve and the mechanism for shifting from washing to extracting may be automatically controlled, but the particular means for effecting control constitutes no essential part of the invention.

The tub I0 drains towards a sump portionA I2 having a perforated base to which is secured a generally cylindrical housing I3. Housing I3 has an upstanding circular flange I4 which is internally threaded to receive a perforated and flanged cap I B. Sealing washers i1 and I8 are disposed between the flange I4 and cap IS to effect a sealing engagement with an annular portion of the tub base around the perforation. The cap IB may have segment shaped .perforations intermediate cross arms I9. The base of housing I3 has a depending circular iiange 2i, vertically aligned with flange Il, forming a discharge outlet which communicates with the intake 22 of a pump 23 through a short condit 24. Conduit 20 may be formed of rubber and sealingly clamped in position. Pump 23 is illustrated as of the impeller type having driving connection with a motor (not shown) through a belt 28. The discharge side of the pum'p selectively communicates with a recirculating conduit 21 adapted to discharge liquid into the clothes container and a. conduit 28 leading tc the drain, communication to conduits 21 and' 28.being controlled by a two-position iiap valve 29. The valve 28 has a shaft projected through the pump casing to which is aillxed a rock plate 3|. The rock plate may be periodically actuated in a suitable manner as by solenoid 32 controlled by cam disc 33 iixed to a timer shaft 34. The power leads are indicated at 35 and 36 with a line 31 extending from lead 36 to a conductor bar 38. A spring type finger 39 is mounted on an insulating strip II to bear against cam disc 33 at its outer end and has a contact button 42 adapted to engage conductor bar 38 when a reduced diameter portion 43 of the cam disc permits. Finger 38 is connected to one .end of the solenoid coil by line Il and the circuit is completed by a line 48 extending from the other end of the coil to power lead 35.

V It will now be understood that solenoid 32 will be. energized during the time the finger 28 is' in contact with cam portion 43 and the solenoid core will be retracted. The core has a pair of a-rm's 41 ilxed thereto which are pin connected to a U form strap 48 through which a headed rod 49 is projected to pivotallv engage rock plate 3|. A compression spring 5I permits relative movement between strap I8 and rod I3. When the solenoid 32 is energized, nap valve 28 uncovers the reclrculating conduit 21 and closes the drain conduit 28. Upon opening oi' the solenoid til'- cuit a tension spring 82 moves the tlap valve 28 to a position opening the drain conduit 28 and closing conduit 21.

Referring now to Fig. l, a screen unit generally indicated at 53 comprises a parti-cylindrical perforated plate 5l, sealed at the ends by circular discs 51 and 51 and at the top by a plate 53 having a central circular ilange or neck 59. Particylindrical as used herein means the surface generated by a straight line or element moving parallel with and about a iixed straight line at a constant radius (plate 5I), the element being rotated through an arc less than 360, and a surface formed by two planes intersecting centrally of the screen unit with each .plane forming a chord connecting the arc ends at one end of the screen unit (plate 58). The included angle between the planes is slightly less than 180 to provide a slight -downward slope towards neck 5t when the unit is in drain position or is rotated through 180 from the position shown in Fig. 2. Housing I3 has a conical bearing 6I seated within a central depression formed in disc 58. End disc 51 has a depression 62 therein formed by parallel upper and lower faces, a, straight vertical side wall, and an arcuate opposite side wall. Depression 62 receives the square end 63 of a circular shaft 64 sealingly projected through an end plate 66 adapted to be detachably and sealingly clamped to cylindrical housing I3. Fixed to shaft 64 is a pinion 61 engaging a rack 68 linked to a solenoid 69 in a manner similar to that de scribed in connection with solenoid 32. Solenoid 68 is controlled by a cam' disc 1I in a manner similar to solenoid 32 whereby when the circuit is closed rack 68 is drawn to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, through U-shaped guide straps 12 fixed to end plate 66 until further movement is .prevented by a stop 13 xed to rack 68 engaging the left hand guide strap 12, any additional movement of the solenoid B9 being absorbed by spring 10. The solenoid 89 and stop 13 are adapted to permit rotation of pinion 61 and resultantly the screen unit 53 through substantially 180 and upon de-eneralza-tion of the solenoid circuit, tension springs 14 xed to rack 68 and end plate 66 will effect rotation of the screen unit in a reverse direction through substantially 180, return movement being limited by a second stop 16 fixed to rack $8 engaging the left hand guide strap 12.

The operation of the apparatus so far described will now be explained. The cam shaft 34 may be driven by a constant speed motor to make a complete revolution during the washing and extracting cycle in a, conventional manner and upon manual closing of the timer motor switch the cycle will be started. Additional cam discs and solenolds similar to those described may control operation of the mixing or water supply valves and shifting of the mechanism from washing to extracting, electrical timers and controls of this type Ibeing well known and it is understood that the number and extent of reduced diameter areas on the cam discs will be dependent upon the desired control for each operation during the cycle. such as supplying liquid, washing, extracting. and draining. Normally, 'the screen unit 53 will be in the position of Fig. l with liquid from tub I0 passing through the perforated plate 54 which removes a major portion of the lint, thence to th@1 housing I3 and directed to the pump 23 through conduit 2l. After passing through the pump the liquid will either be returned to the v clothes container through conduit 21 or directed t0 the drain through conduit 2s. Normally, the

5 drain would be open several times during the cycle and as illustrated in Fig. 6, the circuit to the drain valve solenoid 32 is about to be .broken whereby the flap valve 29 will be moved to a position closing conduit 21 and opening the drain conduit 28. Substantially concurrently with final draining the circuit to solenoid 69 controlling the rotation of screen unit 53 is closed thereby rotating the screen unit through 180 from the position shown in Fig. 1 and bringing the neck 59 of the screen unit into communication with the outlet flange 2| of housing i 3 and disposing the perforated plate 54 uppermost. Liquid draining from tub l now passes through the. screen unit from housing I3 in reverse direction, ushing the moist collected lint from the unit through neck 59, through the pump 23, and to the drain. Upon completion of the cycle the circuit is broken permitting the screen unit to return to the position oi' Fig. 1.

It will be noted that top plate 53 of the screen unit is inclined in Iboth directions from neck 59 which assists flow towards neck 59 during cleaning and since plate 58 is not perforated there is no tendency of lint dropping thereon to be trapped. If it is desired to remove the screen unit 53 for supplemental manual cleaning, this can easily be effected by swinging the spring clamps 11 about their pivots 10 permitting end plate 66 and its associated parts to swing about pin 19 as Ian axis, the curvature of the lateral wall of depression 62 in the end plate 51 permitting the square end 63 of shaft 64 to be disengaged from the screen unit. The screen unit can then be drawn outwardly from housing I3 by grasping finger grip plate 8|.

In Figures 4 and 5, I have shown a modication of the invention wherein the housing indicated at 82 is provided with laterally disposed longitudinally extending slots 83 open at their outer ends to receive brushes 84. The brush bristles contact and project into the screen unit perforations thereby assisting in removing lint.

from the perforations as the screen unit is rotated.. The backing member of the brush is provided With a hook form finger grip portion 86 for assistance in removing and inserting the brushes.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, I have shown a further modification of the invention adapted to a washing machine wherein mechanvical controls are provided for effecting various operations. A shaft 9| is advanced throughone revolution during the 4washing and extracting cycle and has a plurality of cam discs xed thereto, a disc 92 for controlling the drain valve being illustrated. In this instance rod 49 of Fig. 6 is replacedby rod 93 provided with a cam follower 94 whereby the raised portions 95 of the cam disc will force rod 93 to the right opening communication to drain conduit 28 and compressing spring 96 betweena fixed abutment 91 and a flange 98 fixed to rod 93. A lever 99 is pivoted es indicated at |0| and has an elongated slot in its lower end engaging a transverse pin |02 in rod 93 whereby lever 99 will be rocked as rod 93 is reciprocated. The solenoid 69 and the core arms in the linkage illustrated in Fig. 6 are replaced by a bar |03 having a deep generally V- shaped slot |04 therein. A ratchet wheel |05 is pivoted adjacent the bar |03 and is adapted to be advanced one notch in a counterclockwise direction by a pawl arm |06 pivoted to lever 99 each time rod 93 is reciprocated to open the drain. Two adjacent notches of ratchet wheel are sufficiently shallow to prevent pawl arm |06 from having a liquid outlet vthe modication of engaging notch |04 in bar |03 and the succeeding notch is of a depth permitting suchv engagement vwhereby at the third opening oi' the drain the bar |03 will concurrently be drawn to the left rotating the screen unit to cleaning position. For illustration: but it is understood that this can be varied so that the screen unit will only be moved to cleaning position concurrently with iinal draining in accordance with the number of times the ldrain is open during the desired cycle. shown in Fig. 7 may be employed with a single solenoid operated rod 93 instead of the double solenoid arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Of course, the screen unit may be moved to cleaning position every-time the drain is open by directly connecting lever 99 to bar |03 or having the same cam disc control the circuit to both solenoids in Fig. 6 by disposing solenoid 32 and the linkage associated with rock plate 3| to the right so that when solenoid 32 was energized it would open the drain rather than close it.

The screen unit 53 is illustrated as comprising a perforated plate but it is understood that any suitable type screen unit may be used such as a series of slightly spaced parallel rods extending between discs 66 and 61.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modiiications will occur to a, person skilled in the art.

What I claim is: 1. The combination with a washing machine tub having a liquidv outlet in the base thereof, a pump beneath the tub communicating with the outlet, conduit means extending from the pump adapted to direct liquid to the tub or to a drain, valve means for selectively directing liquid through the conduit means, and automatic control means for the valve means, of a lint trap disposed between the tub outlet and pump including a rotatable screen unit presenting in one position one surface thereof to liquid ow' for collecting lint during recirculation of liquid, and automatic means for rotating the screen unit to a reversed position in timed relation to liquid flow to the drain whereby the reverse side of the unit is presented to liquid ow flushing lint collected in said one position from the unit and carrying the lint to the drain.

2. The combination with a liquid receptacle in the base thereof, a pump beneath the receptacle communicating with the outlet, conduit means extending from the pump for recirculating liquid to the receptacle, conduit means extending from the pump to a drain, and automatically controlled valve means for selectively initiating flow through either conduit means, of a lint trap disposed between the receptacle outlet and pump, the lint trap comprising a generally cylindrical housing communicating with said outlet and pump inlet, a screen unit rotatably mounted in the housing having a particylindrical portion and a neck portion normally uppermost to direct liquid through the unit into the housing, and means for automatically rotating the screen unit in timed relation to liquid iiow to the drain conduit means whereby the neck portion is disposed lowermost and liquid passes from the housing through the screen unit in a reverse directionl to flush lint therefrom to the drain. C

3. The combination with a washing machine tub having a liquid outlet in the base thereof, a pump beneath the tub, a conduit extending from every third notch is deep.

The linkage the pump outlet for recirculating liquid to the tub, a second conduit from the pump outlet extending to a drain, valve means for selectively initiating liquid flow through either of said conduits. a generally cylindrical housing disposed between the tub base and pump and in communication with said tub outlet and pump inlet, a screen unit in the housing for removing lint from liquid passing from the tub prior to recirculation, the screen unit being rotatably mounted in the housing whereby it may be rotated through substantially 180 to present the reverse surface of the unit to liquid flow and flush lint therefrom, solenoid means for actuating the valve means and rotating the screen unit, and timing means controlling the circuit of the solenoid means whereby the screen unit will be rotated to ilushing position in timed relation to opening of the drain conduit.

4. The combination with a washing machine tub having a liquid outlet in the base thereof, a lint trap beneath the outlet and in communicaf tion therewith, a pump beneath the lint trap and in communication therewith, conduit means extending from the pump for recirculating liquid to the tub, a drain outlet communicating with the pump, automatically controlled valve means for selectively directing liquid through the recirculating conduit means or drain outlet, the lint trap comprising a screen unit presenting one surface to liquid flow from the tub outlet to the pump for collecting lint and rotatable to present the reverse surface to liquid flow for ushing lint from the unit, the automatic control means for the valve means comprising a rotating cam disc, means connected to the valve means and movable by the disc and means adapted to interconnect the screen unit with the valve connected means for rotating the screen unit.

5. A self-cleaning lint trap comprising a generally cylindrical housing having an upstanding flange and a depending flange, a screen unit rotatably mounted in the housing having a particylindrical lower perforated plate portion and a non-perforated top plate with a neck normally aligned with the housing upstanding flange, an end plate detachably sealed to one end of the housing, a shaft projected through the end plate and detachably interlocked with the screen unit. automatic means for rotating the screen unit through substantially 180 in reverse directions by rotation of said shaft, and said end plate and associated parts being mounted to pivot about an axis laterally of the housing providing clearance whereby the screen unit may be withdrawn outwardly from the housing for manual cleaning.

6. A self-cleaning lint trap adapted tobe inserted in a liquid system comprising a generally cylindrical housing having a liquid inlet at its upper portion and a liquid outlet at its lower portion, an end plate fixed to one end of the housing and having a bearing support, an end plate detachably and sealingly secured to the opposite end of the housing, a short shaft ro- 8 tatably and sealingly mounted in the detachable end plate, a screen unit within the housing rotatably supported at one end on the said bearing support and detachably locked to the shaft at its opposite end, the screen unit including a parti-cylindrical perforated plate having a neck normally aligned with the housing liquid inlet, a pair of longitudinally extending brushes disposed at opposite sides of the housing bearing against said plate and adapted to assist lint removal as the screen unit is rotated, and link means extending from the shaft externally of the housing.

7. The combination with a washing machine including a clothes container, means for recirculating liquid through the clothes container, a drain, an automatically controlled valve means for periodically directing liquid to the drain during operation of the machine, of a lint trap disposed in the recirculating system in advance of the drain, a rotatable screen unit associated with the lint trap and in one position having a surface normally collecting lint from liquid passing through the screen unit, and automatic means for rotating the screen unit to a reversed position in timed relation to liquid ow to the drain whereby the reverse side of the screen unit is subjected to liquid ilow flushing lint therefrom and directing removed lint to the drain.

8. A lint trap adapted to be inserted in a recirculating liquid system comprising a housing having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a rotatable screen unit within the hopsing adapted to remove lint from liquid passing through the housing, means for rotating the screen unit through substantially to present the reverse surface to liquid flow and ush lint therefrom, a detachable cover for the housing permitting removal of the screen unit, the rotating means including linkage extending through the cover and detachably locked to the screen unit, the linkage being movable with and linked to the cover in detached position whereby positioning of the cover on the housing locks the linkage to the screen unit, and the linkage including a pivotal connection disposed laterally of the cover whereby the cover and associated parts may be rotated to and supported in a position out of the path of the screen unit during removal thereof from the housing.

WILLIAM G. SULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED] STATES PA'I'ENTS Name Date Crocker June 29, 1880 Adams et al Oct. 31, 1905 Number Behan Dec. 28, 1937 McMahan June 23, 1942 Dunham Oct. 6, 1942 Lamort Jan. 30, 1934 

